I meet a lot of folk with Burntisland connections through this web site - recent exiles, long term exiles, and descendants of those who emigrated long ago. Those who left within living memory tend to go straight to the photos for a reminder of home. The serious family history researchers also want to know about the churches in the town - for a long time at the very heart of Burntisland's social history. That's where the idea for this section of the web site originated. That idea subsequently developed into a commitment to write a series of articles on the history of Burntisland's churches for the Burgh Buzz, Burntisland's community newspaper.  The articles will be published here at the same time as they appear in the Burgh Buzz.

It's a happy coincidence that the first article in the series appeared as plans were being finalised for the celebrations in June 2001 to mark the 400th anniversary of the decision, taken in Burntisland, to proceed with the King James Bible. These celebrations - together with the recent ones to mark the Millennium - have seen a strengthening of the links between the various churches in the town. This is a welcome development for most people. But at the same time, we must not forget the reasons for the splits and schisms in the churches during the 18th and 19th centuries. These happened in very different times, and were led by brave and principled people. They are described in Parts 5 and 6 of the series.

I'll be drawing to quite a large extent on material which has already been published in one form or another, and my sources will be properly acknowledged at the end of the series.

To look at the articles currently available, please follow the links below.

IAIN SOMMERVILLE
E-mail: iars@fife40.freeserve.co.uk